Mortality

Definition

Mortality is the measure of the number of deaths in a particular population, scaled to the size of that population, per unit of time. In microbiology, it often refers to deaths caused by infectious diseases.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Mortality rate can be calculated using the formula: (number of deaths/total population) x 1000.
2. Infectious disease mortality rates are crucial for understanding the severity and spread of pathogens.
3. High mortality rates are often associated with virulence factors and pathogen resistance.
4. Epidemiologists use mortality data to track outbreaks and effectiveness of public health interventions.
5. Factors affecting mortality include host immunity, pathogen virulence, and healthcare access.

Review Questions

• How is mortality rate calculated in epidemiological studies?
• Why is mortality data important for tracking infectious diseases?
• What factors can influence the mortality rate in a population affected by an infectious disease?

Related terms

Morbidity:

The incidence or prevalence of a disease within a population.

Virulence:

The degree to which a pathogen can cause damage or death to its host.

Epidemic:

A widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time.